Southern Illinois

The law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., with its principal office in Mt. Vernon (yet serving all ofIllinois), is proud to announce Joshua A. Humbrecht has become a partner in the firm and James M.Ruppert has joined the law firm as an associate.

Joshua A. Humbrecht

Josh received his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2009 and graduated magna cum laude. During law school he was active in trial advocacy and clerked for an appellate court justice and at 2 local firms. Josh began working for Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. as a law clerk in 2008 and was offered a position as an associate upon graduation. Josh focuses on personal injury and workers’ compensation. In 2005, Josh received his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University where he double majored in political science and history and was active in the mock trial program. Josh grew up in New Lenox, Illinois where he graduated from Lincoln-Way High School. He is married to Monika Humbrecht and they live in Benton, Illinois with their infant son, Caden.

James M. Ruppert

James hails from Madison County, Illinois, having attended Alton Senior High School. He later studied at Western Illinois University, majoring in political science and graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2010. James obtained his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2013.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced Thursday the appointment of Chief Circuit Judge S. Gene Schwarm to the Appellate Court in the Fifth Judicial District. Chief Judge Schwarm will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Appellate Justice James M. Wexstten, effective January 29, 2014.

The appointment is effective April 1, 2014 and will expire December 5, 2016, when the position will be filled by the winner of the 2016 General Election

“I am honored to be selected to fill the vacancy in the Fifth District Appellate Court," Chief Judge Schwarm said. "My humble thanks go to Justice Lloyd Karmeier and the Supreme Court for giving me this opportunity.

Don’t miss this discussion in Fairview Heights on Friday, March 14th regarding the increasingly complex issues occurring in traffic law and DUI court, as well as the new case law and legislation mandated by the Illinois General Assembly! State’s attorneys, public defenders, judges, and attorneys practicing in the DUI and traffic courts – with all levels of experience – who attend this full-day seminar will better understand: the jury selection process in DUI and misdemeanor cases; how the traffic law arena is affected by the legalization of medical marijuana; the ethical obligations you have as a traffic law attorney; how new legislation has impacted the defense of Operating Under the Influence; and much more!

The program is presented by the ISBA Traffic Laws and Courts Section and qualifies for 5.50 hours MCLE credit, including 0.75 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit(subject to approval).

Lorri was a well-known and well-respected attorney for the past 22 years, practicing in Belleville, Ill. She specialized in adoptions, GAL (Guardian Ad Litem), and all facets of family law. She served on the Children's First Foundation board of directors, and worked on the continuing legal education program for the St. Clair County Bar Association. She served as the secretary for the Ledgestone Estates Homeowners Association in Smithton, Ill., and was treasurer of the St. Louis Barbie Club. She enjoyed jazz music, traveling, arts and crafts, and creating Barbie doll accessories.

She was preceded in death her father, Leo Mott; and her father-in-law, David Compton Jr.

Surviving are her husband of 22 years, Timothy P. Compton, whom she married on May 17, 1991; her mother, Lois, nee Young, Mott of Quincy, Ill.; three brothers, Randy (Barbara) Mott of Poland, Rick Mott of Washington, D.C., and John (Chris) Mott of Venice, Fla.; a sister, Nancy Barry of Quincy, Ill.; her mother-in-law, Frances L., nee Goodwin, Compton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Get the updates you need to practice with confidence with this full-day seminar that examines a broad spectrum of advanced workers’ compensation issues! Join us in Chicago OR Fairview Heights on Monday, Feb. 17for a discussion on the pitfalls to avoid throughout the Appellate process, how the Commission uses impairment ratings, and the ins-and-outs of a Section 12 examination, as well as a look at the updates to current case law. Labor/employment attorneys and workers’ compensation practitioners with advanced levels of practice experience who attend this seminar will better understand: the deadlines for a proceeding before the Arbitrator and Commission; how to apply the new AMA guidelines; how to avoid dismissal by the Appellate Court for failing to perfect your appeal; interlocutory orders from the Commission and Circuit Court; how a physician performs an impairment rating examination and how the impairment rating affects the permanency awards at the Commission; the various ethical issues workers’ compensation attorneys may face; and much more!

The seminar is presented by the ISBA Workers’ Compensation Section and qualifies for 5.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit(subject to approval).

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced Monday that an application process has begun to fill a vacancy in the Fifth District Appellate Court.

The vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Appellate Justice James M. Wexstten, effective January 29, 2014.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies. Justice Karmeier will use a special committee to evaluate and interview the applicants before making a recommendation to the Court to fill the vacancy.

An Applicant Information Form may be obtained from Justice Karmeier at P.O. Box 266, Nashville, IL 62263. The Information Form may also be obtained from any of the Chief Judges in the Fifth Judicial District. The Chief Judges are: Judge Mark Clarke, First Judicial Circuit, Marion; Judge Thomas Tedeschi, Second Judicial Circuit, Benton; Judge David Hylla, Third Judicial Circuit, Edwardsville; Judge Gene Schwarm, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Vandalia; and Judge John Baricevic, 20th Judicial Circuit, Belleville.

Applications must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Friday, January 31, 2014. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is filled through the November 2016 General Election. The appointment will terminate December 5, 2016. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a citizen of the United States, a licensed Illinois attorney in good standing, and a resident of the Fifth Judicial District at the time of the appointment.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is seeking a part time temporary Pro Se Law Clerk (20 hours per week). This temporary position is for one year and one day and may be extended but may not exceed four years, unless it becomes permanent. The Pro Se Law Clerk provides legal advice and assistance to the court in connection with prisoner petitions and complaints. The successful candidate for this position will report to the Chief Judge in the East St. Louis courthouse and may qualify for regular, recurring, or ad hoc telework. Click here to view the full job description

POSITION: Pro Se Law Clerk, Part Time Temporary*VACANCY NUMBER: 2013-07SALARY RANGE: $57,408 (JSP 11/1) to $125,695 (JSP 14/10), depending on qualifications**DATE POSTED: December 23, 2013CLOSING DATE: January 17, 2014, at noon* Position may become full time and/or permanent without further competition** Salary range is divided in half for part time position

An Honor Roll of more than 140 lawyers in the 3rd Circuit (Madison and Bond counties) were honored at a Pro Bono Luncheon on October 22 in Edwardsville.

From left: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier served as guest speaker; Chief Judge of the 3rd Circuit, David Hylla, welcomed a roomful of attendees; Judge Barbara Crowder chairs the 3rd Circuit Pro Bono Committee, the first to be formed in the state, and is secretary of ISBA's Delivery of Legal Services Committee; and Lois Wood, executive director of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, is chair of ISBA's Delivery of Legal Services Committee.

He was born Sunday, Nov. 17, 1918 in Mt. Carmel, to Ben H. and Madge (Simpson) Townsend.

Joel was an attorney; graduate of Northwestern University Law School and practiced law with his father, Judges Robert Keenan, George Timberlake and Stephen Sawyer. With his wife, they owned Radio Call, Inc. in Georgia.

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Second Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Jerry E. Crisel as an associate judge of the Second Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Crisel received his undergraduate degree in 1970 from the University of Illinois and his Juris Doctor in 1973 from the University of Illinois College of Law. Mr. Crisel is currently engaged in solo practice in Albion, Illinois.